At least seven die in Iran earthquake

Published December 21st, 2010 - 07:49 GMT

Seven people died in an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale that hit Iran's southeastern province of Kerman.

Seven people died in an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale that hit Iran's southeastern province of Kerman. However, IRNA quoted Kerman Governor General Esmail Najjar as saying on Tuesda that the death toll is expected to rise.

The quake took place at 10:12 p.m. local time (1842 GMT) on Monday, IRIB has reported.

The epicenter was in the town of Hosseinabad, 28.6 degrees north latitude and 59.1 degrees east longitude, at a depth of five kilometers, the Iranian Seismological Center said on its website.

Najjar added that some of the wounded have been rushed to local hospitals as emergency efforts get underway to help those trapped under the rubble.

The Kerman governor noted that the strong tremor was felt as far away as the southern province of Hormozgan.